Sam Allardyce is looking for a repeat performance at Wembley after West Ham reached the npower Championship play-off final.
The Hammers are just 90 minutes from an immediate return to the top flight after goals from Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard swept aside Cardiff 3-0. Having led 2-0 from the first leg, West Ham finished the job in style with a 5-0 aggregate success and will now face Blackpool or Birmingham on May 19 - the club's first trip to Wembley in 31 years.
Upton Park boss Allardyce said: "The away game gave us the platform and this performance, to top it, was terrific. I'm pleased for all the players, the staff and the fans. We've got a massive opportunity over 90 minutes to get back into the golden league, where it all happens."
He added: "Hopefully we can hold it together and give a performance like we did when we get to Wembley. It's a big pressure for us and whoever we get we will probably be favourites again, but what a fantastic stage to go and play on."
Player of the year Mark Noble, the only survivor from the Hammers side which won the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in 2005, said: "Everyone says it's the biggest game in football and it's a great feeling to have made it. We deserve it and I'm sure everyone will enjoy the trip to Wembley."
As for Cardiff, they began the season with victory at Upton Park but ended it suffering play-off heartache for the third successive year.
It could have been different had referee Mike Dean not waved away an early penalty claim when Winston Reid sent Kenny Miller tumbling to the floor.
Manager Malky Mackay said: "I've not seen it again, but little things change games.
"But West Ham were clinical. We're obviously disappointed, but we knew it would be a tough task.
"Congratulations to West Ham, they deservedly got to the final and good luck to them."
Source: PA
